Coupling device for pipes



Feb. 2, 1943. R. J. FISHER COUPLING DEVICE FOR PIPES 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Feb. 28, 1940 HH HI HIHHI Feb. 2, 1943. R. J. FISHER COUPLING DEVICE FOR PIPES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 28, 1940 ff f @ray

ffii 6'/ ffm Patented Feb. 2, 1943 commise DEVICE ron rires Reginald `lohn Fisher, London, to Avery Equipment Limited,

England, assigner London, England Application February 28, 1940, Serial No. 321,322 In Great Britain March 16, 1939 l2 Claims.

This invention relates to coupling devices'for pipes, and more especially to those of the kind in which one or each ol' the two elements comprising the coupling is fitted with a valve device adapted to be opened automatically by the action of clamping the two coupling elements together.

Coupling devices of this kind are commonly employed in circumstances where a mechanical component, such, for example, as an engine, frequently has to be removed from its operating position for overhauling. This usually entails the uncoupling of numerous vpipe connections, especially in the case ol' aircraft engines where one or more pumps are normally driven by the engine for the purpose of creating liquid pressure.

for remote control systems. It is the object of the present invention to provide an improved form oi coupling device for enabling several pipe connections to be broken simultaneously when desired, said coupling device being arranged to restore the pipe connections in an equally simple and expeditious manner.

According to the invention a coupling device is provided comprising a pair of support members, each carrying one element of each of a plurality of valved pipe couplings, and clamping means for drawing said support members together, so that corresponding pairs of coupling elements are simultaneously united, and the valves therein opened by the drawing together of the said support members.

Thus the improved coupling device may comprise a pair of support members, clamping means for urging said support members towards one another, and a plurality of pipe couplings, each of which latter consists of a pair oi' coupling elements both having valves which are arranged to close the respective conduit ends when the said being carried by the support members so that as the latter are brought together in correct register, the coupling elements on one support member engage with the corresponding coupling elements carried by the other support member.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a coupling device for connecting simultaneously the coupling elements of a plurality of pipe couplings which are arranged with their axes mutually parallel and have valves for closing the conduit ends when the coupling elements are separated, said device comprising a pair of plate-like support members having holes within which the coupling elements are secured, and clamping means for drawing said support members towards one another s'o as to bring the elements are separated, the coupling elements v corresponding pairs of coupling elements into full engagement simultaneously.

Preferably the clamping means comprises a tightening device operating between one of the support members and a projection. which latter is carried by the other support member and is arranged to act in tension, said projection conveniently extending through the said one clamping member in order to engage with the tightening device. The clamping means may comprise one or more rectilinearly movable wedge members or an angularly movable cam member,"said clamping means in the preferred arrangements being operated by an angularly movable arm. Alternatively, however, the clamping means may comprise one or more screw threaded members which are arranged so that when rotated they draw the support members towards one another.

As a further modification the clamping means comprises one or more cylinder and piston units connected with the support members and arranged to draw the latter together when said unit or units are` supplied with pressure fluid. Where pipe couplings of diilerent sizes are installed between the same pair of support members, collars may be provided between the smaller coupling elements and one or both of the support members so as to enable all of the couplings to reach their fully engaged positions simultaneously.

In one arrangement a plurality of wedge members are disposed between support members, and are arranged to move along a rail provided upon one of said members, overhanging projections carried by the other support member being engaged by the oblique surfaces of said wedge members for the purpose of pulling the support members towards one another.

Several examples of coupling devices according to the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, showing a coupling device which is tightened by means of an angularly movable c Figure 2 is a front elevation corresponding to Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional elevation of a constructional lfeature taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2 Figure 4 is a sectional side elevation of a modied form of tightening means;

Figure 5 is a front elevation of another form of coupling device;

Figure 6 is an inverted sectional plan taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a similar view showing another form of tightening means; and

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional elevation showing a piston and cylinder unit used Vas a clamping device.

The device shown in Figures 1 to 3 is arranged to enable the elements of four pipe couplings to be manipulated simultaneously and locked in engagement by the manipulation of a single operating lever or arm indicated at I0. The device is particularly suitable for use in connection with aircraft engines for enabling the usual pipe connections to the fuselage to be readily disconnected and reconnected by a simple operation, at the same time making sure that the correct connections are made. A support member II is in the form of a plate which is adapted to be attached to the usual engine bulkhead of the fuselage and is tted with a number of coupling elements indicated at I2a, I3a, Ila and I5a. Pipes denoted generally by the reference I6 lead of course to the appropriate parts of aircraft, such, for example. as to the instrument board and to the customary liquid pressure remote control system of the aircraft. The complementary coupling elements I2b, I3b, Hb and I 5b are carried by another support member I1, which normally extends parallel with the support member II, ilexible pipes indicated generally at I8 being fastened to the said coupling elements and being arranged to lead to the engine and/or its attachedaccessories. The support member I I is provided at its centre with a rod-like projection I9 with which a guide bush 20 upon the support member I1 is adapted to engage slidably. The free end of the projection I9 is notched from below and at a slight inclination as shown at 2| in Figure 1 for the reception of a pin 22 serving as the pivot of the actuating arm I0. The corresponding end of the latter is bifurcated to fit around the projection I9 and is shaped eccentrically -or otherwise to provide a pair of cam surfaces 23 designed to produce the desired tightening action. These cam surfaces bear against the support member I1 conveniently through the medium of wearresisting and friction-reducing studs 24, the construction and arrangement of which will be clear- 1y seen in Figure 3. The arm III is provided with a projection 25 adapted to receive a pin, seal or other device 26 for the purpose of holding the arm III in its clamped position.

' When it is desired to release the couplings the device 26 is removed and the arm I0 swung in an anti-clockwise direction, thus releasing the pressure which is created by the cam surfaces 23. At the end'of approximately 180 of movement the rounded part 21 of a key-hole-shaped opening 28 formed in the arm Ill engages over a headed pin 29 secured to the support member I1. Subsequent downward movement of the arm I causes the latter to be positively retained by the pin 29 and at the -same time d isengages the pivot pin 22 from the projection I9. 'I'his of course enables the support member I1, together with the arm I0 and the associated coupling elements I2b, I3b, Ilb and Ib to be drawn clear of the projection I9 and the corresponding coupling elements I2a, I3a, I4a and I5a.

The pipe couplings are of the form in which one or each of the coupling elements is provided with a valve adapted to close the conduit automatically as the coupling is disengaged and to open when the elements are again fully brought together. One of the couplings is shown diagrammaticallyin section in Figure 1 and is of 75 the form described in United States patent application Serial No. 302,586, filed November 2, 1939. As illustrated the elements I3a and I3b are in their fully engaged position, a relatively free passageway 30 for liquid or other fluid being provided through the coupling. 'I'he coupling element I3b contains a valve member 3I which is urged towards an inwardly directed seat 32 by means of a coiled compression spring 33, the said valve member 3| being urged oil? its seating 32 by ahead member 34 rigidly carried by the coupling element I3a. 'I'he valve member of the latter comprises an axially slidable sleeve 35 which is urged outwards by a coiled compression spring 36, the extremity of the sleeve 35 engaging with the margin of the head 34 when the coupling elements are disengaged. In the position shown, however, the said sleeve 35 is held in its retracted position by engagement with that part of the element I3b adjacent the seating 32. Suitable packings are of course provided where necessary to prevent leakage of fluid. The coupling element I3b is formed also with a bell-shaped shroud 31 which serves to protect the vital parts of the coupling and also acts as a guide to bring the elements into register.

The couplings as at present made naturally vary in length for different sizes of conduit, and as it is important that all the couplings should reach their fully engaged state simultaneously, spacing washers or collars 38 and 39 are provided between the coupling elements and the support member I1 as shown in Figure 1. Thus the coupling I3a, I3b is longer in length when fully engaged than is the coupling I2a, I2b, and therefore the washer or collar 39 is correspondingly shorter in axial length than the washer or collar 3l. The coupling elements I2b, I3b, IIb and I5b are mounted in the support member I1 with clearance, as indicated at I1a, so as to have a limited amount of lateral freedom for allowing the elements to align themselves freely with the elements upon the .support member I I.

In the constructional modication shown in Figure 4 the clamping means for drawing together Athe support members II and I1 comprises a rod 40 which is provided with a handle or wheel 4I whereby it can be easily turned within a bush 42 provided upon the support member I1. The opposite end of the rod 40 is screw threaded at I3 and engages within a screw threaded bush 44 formed upon the support member II, the two bushes 42 and 44 being relatively long so that the rod 40 serves to maintain the support members II and I1 in parallel -relationship. It will be appreciated that by unscrewing the rod 49 from the bush 44 the elementsof the couplings, one of which latter is indicated atv I3a, I3b are drawn apart, thus allowing the coupling valves to close, and when the rod 40 is completely disengaged from the bush, the support member I1 with its accompanying coupling elements can be removed from the support member II. In a coupling device of the general form shown in Figures 1 and 2 it is probable that only one screw threaded rod 40 would be used, but in cases where the support members II and I1 are relative large so as to accommodate an increased number of couplings, a plurality of screw threaded rods 40 may be provided.

In another form of coupling device as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the support members II and I1 are in the form of relatively thin metal plates which are flanged at l5 to produce stiffness and are provided as before with coupling elements.

member I I, through holes in the support memberv Ail so as to keep said support members in regis.- ter. Collars 39 or equivalent bushes are provided in connection with or upon the support member il so as to enable pipe couplings of different axial lengths to reach their fully engaged positions simultaneously as the support members Il and Ill are drawn together. For effecting this operation and holding the couplings in their engaged position the support member il is provided upon its interior surface with a plurality of upwardly extending lugs 46, conveniently three in number. Each of these carries at its apex an overhanging projection or roller 41 which is engageable by an oblique cam track 48 carried by the support member Il and adapted to act in the manner of a wedge. As will be seen in Figure 6, the support member Il is provided upon its underneath with a rail 49 conveniently of inverted T-shape in cross section, and this rail serves for supporting slidably a plurality of members 50, from the lower parts of which project the wedge-like cam surface. M. The'sliding members 50 are connected together by links 5i and a pair of terminal links 52 join the adjacent sliding member to the lower part 53 of an operating arm d which is pivoted to the support member il at 55. 'I'hus when the arm 5t is raised to the position shown in 56, the cam surfaces @8 are free from the projections or rollers lil and the support member Il can be separated from the support member i i. To unite the couplings the parts are brought `to the positions shown in Figure 6, and when the arm 5t is depressed the cam surfaces d8 draw the support member Il downwards towards the support member i I, thus uniting the coupling elements and opening the valves therein. Each of the cam surfaces t3 is provided with a horizontal terminal portion 55 to prevent the support members il and I1 from springing apart of their own accord, while the arm 5t is further provided with locking means comprising a pin 51 arranged to be passed through a pair of projections 53 between which the arm 5B lies.

A modiiled arrangement operating upon a wedge principle is indicated diagrammatically in Figure 7, in which the support member ii is provided at opposite ends with projecting rods 59, which carry at their upper parts, pairs of rollers indicated at 60. Wedge members 6I which are substantially U-shaped in plan are fitted with rollers 62, permitting them to move freely upon the upper surface of the support member I7. The wedge members 6i are operated by a transverse spindle 63 which is fitted in bearing Bt upon the support member il and is actuated by an arm 65. The spindle 63 is fitted with a crank member 66, diametrically opposite parts of which are pivoted at 6l to connecting rods or links 68 joined to the Wedge members 6l. The support members Il and Il are locked together when the parts occupy the positions shown in Figure '7 and it will be seen that the pivots 61 are just beyond their dead centre position so that the force developed by the couplings due to their internal springs and to the pressure of the liquid is unable to displace the wedge members 6|. The arm 65 is, however, locked in position by means of a pin 5l as in the preceding example. To release the couplings the pin 51 is removed and the arm 65 is turned in a clockwise sense, thus causing the connecting rods 68 to withdraw the wedge members 8| from below the rollers l0. The support member I1 can then be removed by lifting it away from the projections 59. If desired guiding means (not shown) can be incorporated for preventing the connecting rods 68 and/or the wedge members 6I from leaving their proper positions when the support members Il and I1 are separated, thus ensuring that the wedge members 6| are ready to enter beneath the rollers A8i) when the support member I1 is again placed in position upon the projections 59.

. VAnother method of drawing the support members Il and. I1 together for the purpose of uniting the couplings consists in utilising fluid pressure, such, for example, as the pressure liquid which is commonly used for the remote control systems of an aircraft. One arrangement is shown in Figure 8 and in this case the support member Il, besides carrying the usual coupling elements (not shown), is provided at one or more positions with cylinder members 69 conveniently pivoted at l0 between lugs 'il provided upon the bottom oi a cup-shaped member 12. The cylinder contains a piston 13 which is connected by a piston rod 'M to a similar cup-shaped member l5 upon the support member Il. A readily removable pin 16 enables the piston rod M to be disconnected from the support member t I when it is desirable to remove the latter. Pressure liquid is fed through an inlet 11, and in forcing the piston 73 towards the left it draws the support members il and I1 together, thus closing the couplings associated with said members. If desired mechanical locking means may be provided in order to ensure that the support members Il and Il cannot separate if the pressure supply to the cylinder 69 should be shut 0E or otherwise fail, and in the arrangement shown in Figure 8 rods 18 firmly secured to the support member Il project through holes in the support member Il. Slots 19 are formed in the end parts of the rods 78 to receive ilat wedges 80.

The invention thus provides an extremely simple and compact form of device, which enables a large number of couplings to be disposed within a small space and to be connected and disconnected simultaneously in an extremely easy manner. The clamping means can readily be suited to the space that is available, and this is a decided advantage in aircraft where Ithe various components are inevitably crowded into a small space.

What I claim ist 1. A coupling device comprising, a plurality oi valved pipe couplings, a pair of support members each carrying one element of each pipe coupling so that as the support members are moved toward one another the elements of each coupling engage one another. coaxially, and means for drawing the support members positively toward one another comprising a projection'which is carried rmly by one support member, and a cam device engageable with said projection so that movement of the cam relative to the support member by which it is carried draws the cou- -pling elements into full engagement.

2. A coupling device as claimed in claim 1, in which the projection extends through the said other support member, a cam and lever device being provided to engage the end of said projection and engage with the said other support member. so that angular movement of the lever slides the said other support member along the projection.

3. A coupling device comprising, a plurality of valved pipe couplings, a pair-of support members, each carrying one element of each pipe coupling so that as the support members are moved toward one another the elements of each coupling engage one another` coaxially, and a hydraulic piston and cylinder unit operatively connected between the support members to draw these toward one another, releasable positive locking means being provided to hold the coupling elements in full engagement.

4. A coupling device comprising a plurality of valved pipe couplings, a pair of support members, each carrying one element of each of said couplings, positive means for drawing the support members non-resiliently toward one anothe said means being arranged to act simultaneous,

ly upon the support members at a plurality oi positions which are spaced apart in two dimensions so as to maintain the support members in mutually parallel planes during the whole ofv said drawing together movement, and an axially slidable valve member in each of said coupling elements, the valve members of each pair of elements being arranged to butt together so as to exclude substantially all air and at the same time produce a fluid-tight joint between the coupling elements during the first part of the movement of the support members toward one another, the remainder 'of said movement serving to open the valves andproduce passageways through the couplings.

5. A coupling device as claimed in claim l, wherein a plurality of spaced projections are pro-A vided upon one support member, and wherein a plurality of spaced cam devices carried upon the other support member a're engageable with said projections to positively draw the support members toward one another and at the same time maintain them in parallel relationship.

I6. Av coupling device comprising, a plurality of valved pipe couplings, a pair of support members each carrying one element of each pipe coupling so that as the support members are moved toward one another the elements of each coupling engage one another coaxially, and means for drawing the support members positively towards one another comprising a plurality of spaced -projections which are carried rmly by one support member, and a plurality of cam devices carried by the other support member and arranged to be moved in unison so as first to engage with the respective projections and then to draw the support members towards one another, at the same time maintaining said support members in truly -parallel relationship.

7. A coupling device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the cam devices are rectilinearly guided and are connected together mechanically so that they move in the same direction and by equal amounts in drawing the' support members toward one another.

8. A coupling device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the cam devices are rectilinearly guided, upon one of the support members, and are connected with actuating mechanism comprising an angularly movable spindle, cranks carried by said spindle, and link members connecting the cranks wtih the said cam devices.

9. A coupling device comprising, a plurality of telescoping valved pipe couplings, a pair of parallel support plates each carrying one element of each of said couplings, aligned axially slidable normally closed valve members, one in each of said coupling elements, an operating means for drawing said plates together, said operating means including at least a pair oi aligned interengaging projections, the projections constituting a pair extending fromopposite -plates in a direction toward one another, each projection being supported from its respective plate, and positive means for non-resiliently reducing the effective cumulative length of at least a pair of said projections to draw said -plates toward one another, at least one of the projections of each pair constituting a part of said positive means, said valve members being recessed in said coupling elements so that the corresponding coupling elements are first brought into engagement coaxially in pairs to produce a fluid-tight seal one with another, and then further drawing together of' the support plates causes the valve members to axially move to open position to produce passageways through the couplings.

10. A coupling device comprising, a plurality of telescoping valved pipe couplings of different axial lengths, a pair of parallel support plates each receiving therethrough one element of each of said couplings, sleeves interposed between at least one support plate and the couplingelements passing therethrough, said sleeves serving to space the ends of the coupling elements with respect to the plate, aligned axially slidablenormally closed valve members, one in each of said coupling elements, and operating means for drawing said plates together, said operating means including at least a pair of aligned interengagng projections, the -projections constituting a pair extending from opposite plates in a direction toward one another, each projection being supported from its respective plate, and positve means for non-resiliently reducing the effective cumulative length of at least a pair of said projections .to draw said plates toward one another, at least one of the projections of each pair constituting a part lof said positive means, said valve members being recessed in said coupling elements so that the corresponding coupling elements are first brought into engagement coaxially in pairs to produce a fluid-tight seal, one with another, and then further drawing together of the support plates causes the valve members to axially move to open position to produce passageways through the couplings, the lengths of the sleeves being such that all of the valve members of the couplings attain their fully opened position simultaneously.

11. A coupling device comprising, a plurality of valved pipe couplings, a pair of support plates, each carrying one element of each of said couplings, operating means for drawing said plates together, said operating means including ai; least a pair of aligned interengaging projections, the projections Iconstituting a pair extending from opposite plates in a direction toward one another, each projection being supported from its respective plate, positive means for non-resiliently reducing the eiective cumulative length of at least a pair of said projections to draw said plates toward one another, at least one of the projections of each pair constituting a part of said positive means, and an axially slidable valve member in each of said coupling elements, the valvemembers of each pair of elements being arranged to butt together so as to exclude substantially all air and at the same time produce a fluid-tight joint between the coupling elements during the first part of the movement of the support plates toward one another, the remainder of said moveopposite plates in a ment serving to open the valves and produce passageways through the couplings.

12. A coupling device comprising, a plurality of valved pipe couplings, a pair of support plates, each carrying one element of each of said couplings, operating means for drawing said plates together, said operating means including at least a pair of aligned interengaging projections, the projections constituting a pair extending from direction toward one another, each projection being supported from its respective plate, positive means for non-resiliently reducing the effective cumulative length of at least a pair of said projections to draw said plates toward one another, at least one of the projections of each pair constituting a part of from the couplates in mutusaid positive means, means apart plings for retaining the support ally parallel planes during the whole of said drawing together movement, and an axially slidable vlave member in each of said coupling elements, the valve members of each pair of elements being arranged to vbutt together so as to exclude substantially all air and at the same time produce a fluid-tight joint between the coupling elements during the lrst part of the movement of the support plates toward one another, the remainder of said movement serving to open the valves and produce passageways through the couplings.

REGINALD JOHN FISHER. 

